Deir Ezzor: Syrian Army Asserts Control Over the Mountains

December 6, 2014

5 1 minute read

The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) stormed the mountains overlooking Deir Ezzor City, breaching parts of the Syrian Arab Army’s 104th Brigade’s defenses before retreating east after sustaining heavy losses among their fighters. ISIS social media accounts stated that they captured the mountains and killed dozens of SAA in the process; however, after contacting a military source in Deir Ezzor, Al-Masdar News can confirm that ISIS has not captured the mountains. The source added that ISIS has repeatedly tried to infiltrate, but have had little success.

Brigadier General Issam Zahreddine of the 104th Brigade of the Syrian Arab Army’s Republican Guard was pictured addressing his men on Sakr Island (Haweeja Sakr) following a successful raid on an ISIS hideout. General Zahreddine is in the trenches with his men, boosting their morale by fighting side-by-side with them as they attempt to break the ISIS siege.

ISIS has suffered heavy casualties in the last 2 days of their siege – they have lost over 100 fighters on the ground and continue to lose more as the battle intensifies. Al-Masdar News has recorded the identified ISIS fighters killed over the last 2 days and will continue to provide updates from the battle.

The U.S. Air Force has reportedly bombarded ISIS positions at the Al-Jafra Oil Fields in east Deir Ezzor, along with multiple sites in the districts of Al-Mayadeen and Abu Kamal. Military sources from the Syrian Army have confirmed a number of U.S. air raids on the outskirts of Deir Ezzor City, resulting in the destruction of an ISIS weapons depot.